Chile’s Transport Minister Louis de Grange announced adjustments to the Uber Law (Law 21.553) on April 22, 2026, citing concerns that the original implementation could negatively affect app-based transportation services.
The government stated the changes aim to flexibilize certain requirements and expand access for both drivers and users, with details later provided through the ministry’s official channels.
Originally, the law required drivers to hold a professional Class A2 license, be registered in a National Registry, and have no serious or sexual offense convictions.
For vehicles, it mandated a minimum engine displacement of 1.4 liters, a maximum age of 10 years, and technical inspections every six months, along with compulsory insurance for drivers and passengers.
A visible QR code on the windshield was also required to verify driver identity and vehicle documentation.
Noncompliance could result in fines of up to 20 UTM — approximately $1,366,000 — and suspension of the driver’s license.
The announced modifications do not repeal the law but adjust key provisions, including the removal of minimum engine displacement and vehicle age requirements.
The Ministry of Transport estimates that up to 85% of previously ineligible drivers could now qualify under the revised rules.
Officials said the changes seek to improve national service coverage and avoid limitations in certain areas, with Minister de Grange calling some initial restrictions “well absurd,” particularly regarding inter-commune mobility.
Former Transport Minister Juan Carlos Muñoz clarified that the original law does not prohibit inter-commune travel, comparing it to taxi regulations that allow regional trips but not permanent operation outside a driver’s home region.
This distinction leaves unresolved how inter-commune and inter-regional movement will be regulated under the updated framework, as final details remain pending.
Why did the government adjust the Uber Law?
The government argued that the original implementation of Law 21.553 could generate negative effects on the functioning of transportation via apps, prompting the need for flexibilization.
What specific requirements were removed from the Uber Law?
The adjustments eliminate the mandatory minimum engine displacement of 1.4 liters and the maximum vehicle age limit of 10 years.